British car manufacturing declines -4.4% in February to 145,475 units.

Exports steady, dipping -0.8%, with more than eight in 10 cars heading overseas.

Domestic demand falls for seventh consecutive month, with output for the UK down -17.0%.

British car manufacturing declined -4.4% in February, as production for the home market fell by double figures, according to data published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Exports also declined, but by a less substantial -0.8%, with 117,139 vehicles shipped overseas, accounting for more than 80% of output.

February production for the UK fell by -17.0% to 28,336 units – the seventh consecutive month of decline at home. In total, 145,475 units were produced, 6,757 fewer than in the same month last year.

Overall year-to-date output declined -2.3%, with 292,956 units rolling off production lines in the first two months of 2018, while domestic demand fell -11.9% and exports were steady, up 0.3% on 2017.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said,

Another month of double digit decline in production for the UK is of considerable concern, but we hope that the degree of certainty provided by last week’s Brexit transition agreement will help stimulate business and consumer confidence over the coming months.

These figures also highlight the scale of our sector’s dependency on exports, so a final deal that keeps our frictionless trade links with our biggest market, the EU, after December 2020 is now a pressing priority.

Member Services

SMMT represents the UK automotive industry through the membership of companies involved in design, concept, manufacture, sale, after sale, disposal and recycling of motor vehicles, components and accessories.